Minutes of the NetACT AGM held from 1-5 July 2019 18-07 at 20:13 ed

At St Paul’s University Kenya

1 CONSTITUTION OF MEETING AND MEMBERS PRESENT: ................................. 2

2 THE THREE MAIN REPORTS ........................................................................................ 3

3 NETACT OFFICE REPORT ............................................................................................. 4

3.1 Financial Statements .............................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Annual Membership fees ....................................................................................................... 5

3.3 The NetACT Office ............................................................................................................... 5

3.4 NetACT house ....................................................................................................................... 5

3.5 Communication ...................................................................................................................... 5

3.6 Lecturer Exchange ................................................................................................................. 6

3.7 Scholarships; an African venue for sabbaticals ..................................................................... 6

3.8 Publications ............................................................................................................................ 7

3.9 Curriculum & ACTEA ........................................................................................................... 7

4 REPORTS ON MEETINGS AND VISITS ....................................................................... 8

5 NEW MEMBERS AND EVALUATION .......................................................................... 8

6 ELECTION AND CONSTITUTION................................................................................. 9

7 ANNUAL MEETINGS ........................................................................................................ 9

7.1 Previous venues ..................................................................................................................... 9

7.2 2020 Annual Meeting .......................................................................................................... 10

8 GENERAL .......................................................................................................................... 10

8.1 Approval of 2019 AGM minutes ......................................................................................... 10

8.2 In closure .............................................................................................................................. 10

ADDENDUM 1: ATTENDANCE 2019 ..................................................................................... 11

ADDENDUM 2: EVALUATION 2019 AGM ........................................................................... 15

ADDENDUM 3: IN MEMORY OF RON HARTGERINK .................................................... 16

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1 CONSTITUTION OF MEETING AND MEMBERS PRESENT:

Monday July 1, 2019 at 08:15

1.1 NetACT chairperson, Dr Maggie Madimbo opened the meeting, welcomed all delegates and

the Barnabas Fund people. She read 1 Peter 5:1-4 and a psalm. The message was about

leadership and the role leaders should play in confronting corruption and not being part of it.

1.2 The Meeting was constituted according to the constitution and the points mentioned in the

NetACT Annual Report 2019. The Report serves as Agenda of the meeting. Point 1 of the

agenda was tabled and noted.

1.3 His Eminence Archbishop Makarios Tillyrides of the Greek Orthodox Church (Orthodox

Archdiocese of Nairobi) spoke a word of welcome to the delegates.

1.4 Attendance. Addendum 1: Forty of NetACT’s 43 members attended. Nine Associate Members

attended plus five invited guests. Four new members were present and accepted. Several

institutions had more than one member attending. In total NetACT had 74 people at the

meeting. They came from 13 countries. Barnabas Fund invited 30 people from 19 African

countries to the workshop and had five officials attending… a 100 people plus in total!

1.5 The minutes of the 2018 AGM held at Huguenot College in Wellington, South Africa, have

been approved by the Executive after that meeting and have been circulated prior to the 2019

AGM.

1.6 Dr Chris Sugden of the Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life introduced Dr Patrick

Sookhdeo1 that led the meeting from Monday to Thursday afternoon on the topic “Global

Politics and Religious Freedom.” It addressed the Christian – Islam relationship in particular.

NetACT bought 100 flash disks on which we copied the PPT slides that was used in the

presentation. They were titled:

The State of Africa (22 slides);

The Islamisation Process (globally and in Africa, 36 slides);

The history of Islam (132 slides);

The theology of Islam (200 slides);

The living Islam (199 slides, focussed on: the five pillars of Islam, Shariʽah; Dawa; Jihad &

introducing Boko Haram; Islamic Blasphemy Laws);

The presentations and discussions thereof took place from Monday to Thursday between 08:30

and 17:00. Each NetACT member institution received ten books on Islam for their libraries,

curtesy the Barnabas Fund. Our institutions rejoiced!

1.7 On Monday evening two presentations took place: Rose Birenge, Director of Partnerships,

Biblica Africa, a NetACT Associate Member, had a presentation on their work and how it could

help NetACT institutions. Members received Biblica publications. Rev David Stedman (Chief

Executive Officer of eVitabu (eVitabu is a new mobile app, developed by APF, that places an

entire library of resources into the hands of rural pastors. The eVitabu app, which is installed on

solar-powered Android devices. It will help support pastors’ ministries, potentially impacting

the Christian journey of over half a million people.

1 Patrick Sookhdeo (born 20 March 1947) is the director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and

Christianity and was for 22 years International Director of the Barnabas Fund. Sookhdeo is an outspoken

spokesman for persecuted Christian minorities around the world. He has made many media appearances

in Great Britain and is an advocate for human rights and freedom of religion. Sookhdeo is a commentator on

jihadist ideology and has lectured British and NATO military officers on Islamic extremism (Wikipedia).

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1.8 On Tuesday evening a meeting took place between NetACT members and Dr David Tarus

(ED) and Mrs Florence Kagwamba (Executive Administrator) of ACTEA. They updated

delegates on developments at the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa. It

was decided that a meeting between ACTEA and FUTE (Forum for Theological Education, i.e.

the Faculties of Theology of the NetACT Members in SA) should be held to finalize the MOU

between the bodies. The MOU deals with synchronizing accreditation standards. Another

decision was that Dr Hannes van der Walt of the Association of Christian Religious

Practitioners (ACRP) in SA should be part of this meeting and that the accreditation issue

should address certificates, diplomas and degrees. NetACT will help with travel and

accommodation expenses and the NetACT office should initiate the process.

Dr Hannes van der Walt outlined the work of the ACRP in providing government accredited

training for the more than 200,000 pastors in African Independent Churches in SA of which

90% has no training at all. In Africa as a whole, these figures are between 1-2 million pastors

with 90% of them without any training. This situation is relevant to both ACTEA and NetACT.

We decided to cooperate with the ACRP and learn / be informed by the processes they

developed in getting all training institutions focussing on this level of training, to work together

and synchronize accreditation standards by getting government cooperation and

acknowledgement.

Dr Japhet Ndhovu, at present Program Coordinator South Asia & Southern Africa of the United

Church of Canada and formerly involved with and present at the founding of NetACT and

NetACT’s HIV/AIDS work and programs, chaired the meeting.

1.9 On Wednesday Evening Dr Sookhdeo and Dr Chris Sugden invited the NetACT ED (Hansen),

the two organizational Program Coordinators (Mostert and Hendriks) and the representatives of

the SA theological faculty members (Simon, Knoetze, Letsosa, Pali, Dube, Sukdaven and

Niemandt) to a meal. They discussed the OCRPL’s program of helping PhD students from

developing countries to do get their PhD degrees at Stellenbosch. The need to provide academix

leadership is too big for one university to handle. NetACT staff played a key role in developing

the partnership. This issue is not strictly on the NetACT AGM agenda but many NetACT

institutions and leaders are part of the program that is aimed at developing leadership that is

focussed on our continents contextual challenges. NetACT thus consulted with the other SA

member-universities. All four institutions are positive to cooperate and take this further as well

as strengthening their MA / MTh / MPhil programs that deal with Religious Freedom and

Interreligious Issues. It was a good meal and a good discussion!

2 THE THREE MAIN REPORTS

2.1 RECONSTITUTING NETACT AGM FRIDAY 5 JULY 2019

After the presentation and discussion of Global Politics and Religious Freedom the AGM

members and the Barnabas Fund invitees thanked Dr Sookhdeo for his presentation and the

intense discussions that took place during the four days. Look at the evaluation (Addendum

II) for more specific remark.

On Friday morning after devotions, the AGM dealt with the remaining items on its agenda.

Four of the new members, Carlile College, Kenya, the Nigerian Baptist Theological

Seminary form Nigeria, the Reformed Church University from Zimbabwe and our first

French member, the Universite Shalom de Bunia from the Democratic Republic of the

Congo introduced themselves. They were welcomed and voted for as members (the other

new applicants will attend regional workshops, be welcomed and voted on at those

meetings).

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2.2 REPORT THEOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Dr Hansen gave the report and answered questions. The goal is that the book will ready for

publication by the end of 2019.

2.3 REPORT AFRICAN PUBLIC THEOLOGY

Dr Hendriks gave the report on behalf of the chair of the editorial committee, Dr Agang,

whose visa got stuck in the SA consulate in Abuja in Nigeria. The meeting requests that the

NetACT Office write a letter to the relevant government department about this issue. The

passport was submitted on May 26 and is up to the date of the meeting, not returned to Dr

Agang (17 June.. no passport & visa yet). The members discussed the report. Questions

were answered.

2.4 REPORT ON THE NETACT INTERNET PORTAL

Fraser Jackson presented his report with slides to demonstrate aspects of the report. It was

most enthusiastically discussed and questions were answered. Many members mentioned

that they do not have electricity at daytime or, at most, sporadic electricity. They were

assured that our next proposal to the funding agency will include both the hardware and

what is needed to have daytime usage of the internet (i.e. solar panel & batteries electricity

system). During the discussion about institutional repositories Dr Sookhdeo, as president of

the Barnabas Fund, promised that they will financially support this venture if NetACT can

present a workable proposal on how to have it done at the different institutions.

The role and importance of trained librarians in the process of curriculum development,

research and leadership development were discussed and emphasized. The presence and

input of Mrs Heila Mare of the theological library at Stellenbosch University meant a lot in

the discussions and at the regional workshops.

NetACT Office emphasized that it uses membership fees to pay for the running expenses of

the NIP project. The biggest expense is the service fees for the server at Huguenot College

etc. Members whose membership fees are in arear will not have access to the NIP.

There were much appreciation for Mr Fraser Jackson who is the driving force behind the

project. His salary was covered by Christians from his home country, Scotland. The meeting

gave their appreciation to Dr Andre du Toit of the Huguenot College that provides an office

for NetACT – free of charge!

3 NETACT OFFICE REPORT

3.1 Financial Statements

Stellenbosch University (SU) is responsible for NetACT’s financial administration. NetACT

receives audited financial statements annually. It has to follow the strict regulations of US’s

accounting system. This service and the office facilities are free of charge.

The NetACT EC appointed Dr Kobus Odendaal (DRC Western and Southern Cape Synod

Commission for Witness) as the Donor Representative on the EC and a voting Board

Member (Constitution 4.2.1.1 B iii). At this meeting Dr Odendaal is represented by Rev Jan

Grobbelaar. He received the membership fees of the institutions that paid their fees at the

AGM. Addendum I to the agenda represents a more “user-friendly” version with

explanatory notes that Dr Odendaal compiled.

NetACT finances follows a rather simple logic. All projects have their own income, either

from donations or collaborators, or by means of monies allocated through successful

funding proposals. Money handled by the NetACT Office is subject to a 10% administration

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fee that covers NetACT Office expenses. We are thankful that NetACT developed a good

record of accomplishment and a very strong and supportive network of collaborators.

Decision: The meeting accepted the financial reports.

The Barnabas Fund funded this AGM. It lead to the good attendance. A big “Thank You!”

3.2 Annual Membership fees

The fee structure and fees stays the same as in 2018. Rev Grobbelaar received the 2019 (and

outstanding) fees of members and gave receipts.

Decision: Institutions with outstanding annual membership fees should be minuted.

Four institutions’ membership fees are outstanding. They won’t be connected to the NIP.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………

3.3 The NetACT Office

Noted: the implementation of the 2017 and 2018 decisions were noted.

Dr Mostert was congratulated with receiving his PhD. NetACT now has three offices at SA

members institutions: in Stellenbosch, Wellington and Bloemfontein.

3.4 NetACT house

Another of NetACT’s goals is to offer affordable and welcoming living environment for lecturers

who are receiving advanced training. Stellenbosch achieved this in 2012 where a renovated house

renovated house in Weidenhof Street 14 offer accommodation to 24 people.

For information on the house visit http://netact.christians.co.za/accommodation/ and or see the video

about the house at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqYQ__yads8&feature=youtu.be.

Finding accommodation for post-graduate students at NetACT’s anchor institutions remains a goal

worth pursuing.

The meeting received the sad news that Dr Ron Hartgerink of South Haven, MI, USA, one of the

founding members of NetACT, that sponsored most of NetACT activities for five years, has passed

away in June 2019. Drr Hansen, Hendriks and Mostert visited the family at their home in Nov 2018

(see addendum X of the 2019 Annual Report. Also check the 2018 minutes at point 6). In this 2019

minutes Addendum III is a Memo of Appreciation that was read at his funeral.

Decision: 1 NetACT request its office to pay our respects to the bereaved Hartgerink family.

2 To dedicate the forthcoming book on African Public Theology to Dr Ronald Hartgerink.

3.5 Communication

NetACT furthermore strives toward developing and maintaining effective communication, internet

facilities, consultation and networking among all member institutions.

The NetACT Website is regularly updated and is really something to be proud of. Look at

http://netact.christians.co.za/ A big “thank you” for the Dutch Reformed Church family in the

Western Cape for this – in particular Dr Odendaal’s wife, the webmistress of our website.

Our news portal is an important communication tool. Please visit http://netact.christians.co.za/news/.

We report whatever happens in and around the office. We would like to receive campus news from

our institutions. EC members should set an example. Send institutional news accompanied by a

photograph if possible!

The NetACT Internet Portal (NIP) falls under communication. It was, however, discussed under

projects (Agenda and Minutes 2).

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Decision: The NetACT Office and members agree that communication from the Offices to members

about events, workshops and general information that may be of use to them will be marked with

FYI (For your information) in the subject line. Other official letters from the offices will have just

the issue addressed in the subject line

3.6 Lecturer Exchange

Since its establishment, NetACT has organized and promoted lecturer exchanges between

institutions to provide expertise where needed and to create space to study and do research.

The NetACT office regularly negotiates exchanges and assist with travel expenses. Check the 2016

Board meeting’s four regulations to guide Lecturer Exchanges (Minutes 4.10). There are several

well-equipped people available for lecturer exchange. Members are encouraged to contact the

NetACT Office if they are looking for lecturer support.

The Office reported about the Wednesday evening discussions (above 1.9) to the meeting. The

OCRPL and Barnabas Fund (OCRPL & BF) will support NetACT member institutions that would

like to start a MA / MTh / MPhil in RELIGION, CULTURE AND SOCIETY that deals with

interreligious issues and especially with Islam. Support will come in the form of curricula

development, books and input from qualified visiting / supporting lecturers as well as IT help to have

classes and discussion on Zoom or with a NIP virtual classroom. In the discussions it became clear

that these programs can be initiated as early as 2020.

The Board discussed the cooperation between the four SA member Theological Faculties re PhD

studies supported by die OCRPL and BF.

Dr Uma Onwunta raised the issue of the importance to address the issues concerning religious

freedom and the influence of Islam on the level of lay people / church membership. This important

aspect was referred to the OCRPL-BF, Tearfund, the ACRP as well as to be discussed at the

September meeting of these associate members with the Universities that are involved with the PhD

project.

Decision: The meeting unanimously and enthusiastically approve the Lecturer Exchange program as

well as the Master and Doctoral program initiatives that are launched with the support and

cooperation of the Associate Members OCRPL and BF. The NetACT Office is requested to assist

members in the implementation of these programs.

3.7 Scholarships; an African venue for sabbaticals

The sourcing and provision of scholarships to advance the theological training of our institutions’

lecturers and promising pastors have always been important to NetACT. With regard to this, the

NetACT reports & minutes of the previous years, especially 2017 and 2018, can be consulted.

Sabbatical Scholarships for staff members of NetACT schools.

In 2017 the following NetACT Board Decision (2017 AGM Minutes 3.7) was taken:

The Board requests the Office to investigate the possibility of securing scholarships for

NetACT institution staff and students on an ongoing basis. It furthermore requests the

Office and Executive to investigate the possibility of establishing a scholarship scheme for

the funding of sabbatical leave research between NetACT institutions on the continent and

further abroad. In this regard it is suggested that contact also be made with the Association

of South East Asian Graduate Schools of Theology as possible locations for sabbatical

research.

The Office spent a lot of time and effort to pursue this goal. The Lord provided in wonderful

ways because we could persuade the Dutch Reformed Church in SA (DRC-SA), that is

developing the Andrew Murray Centre for Spirituality on the campus of the Huguenot

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College in Wellington, to accommodate our needs and adjust the renovation of the site and

buildings so that it is an ideal venue for sabbaticals, research and writer-retreats.

The Office had negotiations with the Tyndale House Foundation (THF) to sponsor, on a

yearly base, scholarships for periods between six and nine month sabbaticals/writer retreats.

THF awarded NetACT $16,000 in this regard. The AMCS links with the Huguenot College

(library, internet) and with Stellenbosch and the other NetACT schools. The NIP (NetACT

Internet Portal) will be available at the AMCS. Daily devotions in the AMCS chapel and a

full time campus spiritual director (Prof Elna Mouton, who served for several years as a

NetACT board member, and was co-editor of two of our book publications) will be on site

and available. Those on sabbatical will be invited to academic activities at the universities

and colleges in the Western Cape.

The first writers retreat will take place in November 2019. Members are to share this news

with their staff and churches. The NetACT Office will receive abstracts from staff and

associates of member-related institutions. Applicants should send a CV and an abstract of

the topic / project that he / she is busy with as well as how far the applicant is in the process

of writing. The DRC-SA has nominated ten people / research project to this meeting with

the request that at least a similar number of NetACT writers be found.

Funding: NetACT has the THF funds available. Dr Japhet Ndhlovu of the UCC put it to the

meeting that the UCC has a longstanding relationship with Angola and especially our

member institution Seminario Emanuel do Dôndi (SED), Huambo, Angola. At the regional

workshop / meeting in Angola a decision was taken about focusing on writing projects, thus

we are assured of a number of applications from Angola. We hope that NetACT funding can

cover at least 80% of costs of member applications. This will depend on the number of

applicants and the time they want to spend at the AMCS. requested

Decision: The Board accepted the report and discussion outlined above with gratitude and

enthusiasm and requested the NetACT Office to implement it.

3.8 Publications

NetACT has as one of its primary goals the publication of quality theological textbooks relevant to

the African context.

The 2017 NetACT Annual Report listed NetACT publications. They can be downloaded, free of

charge, from the NetACT website. The 2017 report also mentioned partner institutions that support

our work.

Board Member Dr Olo Ndukwe from Hugh Goldie (Nigeria) proposed that NetACT investigate an

open access journal. The ED supported the proposal and the discussion proved supportive with the

OCRPL making resources and work already done in establishing an online journal available. The

meeting requested the ED to take the lead, form a committee and report to the 2020 meeting in this

regard.

Decision: The discussion outlined above was accepted and the NetACT ED requested to

implement it and report at the next meeting.

3.9 Curriculum & ACTEA

NetACT set as goal the upgrading of curriculum standards at member institutions.

The decisions of the 2018 minutes and 2019 Report are in the process of being implemented at the

regional workshops that is taking place this year. In 2020 a full report on these workshops will be

presented at the AGM.

ACTEA

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ACTEA (Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa) has been a key partner of

NetACT. Acquiring ACTEA accreditation was one of the goals we set for all out institutions.

NetACT supported institutions in different ways in obtaining ACTEA accreditation. Dr David

Tarus (ED) and Mrs Florence Kagwamba (Executive Administrator) of ACTEA attended

our AGM on Tuesday evening (see discussion above at 1.8).

Decision: The NetACT Board approve the discussion and decision take at the Tuesday

evening discussion and refer it to the NetACT Office to implement.

Youth Ministry: At the 2018 meeting a discussion took place about Youth Ministry and the

importance of adding such a topic to the NetACT programs agenda. It was, by mistake, not

mentioned in the minutes.

Decision: The NetACT Board requests Drr Hannes Knoetze and Nathan Chiroma to present

the 2020 AGM with a proposal in this regard.

Matt Elmore and a colleague of “Church Equipping” gave a short presentation on the “4:12

Youth Ministry” program, a program that empowers pastors and church leaders to have an

effective and fruitful youth ministry.

Members requesting help with curriculum development: The Orthodox Theological

Seminary as well as the Nile Theological College request help with curriculum

development.

Decision: The NetACT Board requests the NetACT Office to help these institutions and to

report to the 2020 meeting in this regard.

4 REPORTS ON MEETINGS AND VISITS

This part of the NetACT activities is summarised in the Addenda of the 2019 Annual

Report.

Noted with appreciation.

5 NEW MEMBERS AND EVALUATION

Over the past year leading up to the AGM NetACT received the following new

applications for membership and associate membership. As per the NetACT

Constitution, a prospective member has to be present at an AGM where all new applications

are tabled and needs to be approved by the Board. The representatives of the institutions

below are requested to introduce their institutions to the meeting:

1. Carlile College of Theology and

Business Studies, Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr Patience Wanzala,

principal@carlilecollege.ac.ke

2. Nigerian Baptist Theological

Seminary, Ogbomosho.

Edward Nnanna eddytenor2k4@gmail.com

3. Reformed Church University,

Zimbabwe

Mondli Sibanda

sibandam@rcu.ac.zw

4. Université Shalom de Bunia; The

Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr George Atido, Associate Professor of

Missiology and World Christianity; President

USB: george.atido@gmail.com,

recteur@unishabunia.org Phone: +243 996

587 605

The representative of the institution introduced the institution upon which the Board gladly

welcomed them as new members. USB is our first French member, a big step forward!

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The following members also applied but being too late to be welcomed at the AGM, will be

welcomed and voted for at the remaining regional meetings (this way of dealing with new

members was approved by the Board).

5. Apokalupsis Theological

College, Kafanchan, Nigeria

Apostle Dr Emmanuel Nuhu Kure; emmanuelkure@yahoo.com

6. Baptist Theological Seminary,

Kaduna

Dr. Moses Audi. His contact email is mosesaudi@yahoo.com

7. De l'Institut Biblique du Bénin

(IBB)

Bonaventure M. Akowanou, Administrateur de l'Institut

Biblique du Bénin (IBB). E.mail: mbonako@yahoo.fr; Skype:

Bonaventure.akowanou. Tél:+229 21 32 55 94/95. Site web:

www.institutbibliquedubenin.org@gmail.com

8. ECWA Theological Seminary,

Aba, Nigeria

Dr Godwin Etukumana, Provost,

gaetukumana@yahoo.com and ecwaseminaryaba@yahoo.com

9. Kigali Anglican Theological

College, Rwanda

Dr Ndikumana annyndikum@gmail.com & Bishop Muvunyi

louiskigali@gmail.com;

10. Life Theological Seminary,

Aba, Nigeria

Rev Dr. Joseph Isaac, Rector. beautifulgate2000@yahoo.com.

11. Life Theological Seminary,

Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria

Dr Cletus Orgu, ccorgu@yahoo.com

Associate membership applications:

1 Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life: Dr Chris Sugden,

sugdenmainstream@gmail.com, +44 7808297043, 21 High Street, Eynsham, Oxford, OX294HE,

United Kingdom. https://www.ocrpl.org/

2 Barnabas Fund, UK. Rev Gavin Mitchell, Gavin.Mitchell@barnabasfund.org ,

Cell: 27 837990726

Termination of membership: …………………………….are two years in arrear of

payment.

Evaluation forms was distributed and the Office was requested to compile it and add it as

Addendum 3 to the minutes. The evaluation proved to be “as good as it gets.”

6 ELECTION AND CONSTITUTION

The term of all current executive members of the EC runs until the next AGM in 2020 when

voting needs to take place.

The 2015 NetACT constitution has a section that describes clusters (Constitution 4.1.2).

These units did not play a role and it seems as if the regional workshops is a better way of

dealing with programs. The ED / NetACT Office is requested to evaluate the four 2019

regional workshops and propose an amendment to the constitution at the 2020 meeting.

The Board requests the ED to adapt the constitution re the approval of the minutes according

to the way it is always done. The minutes have to be circulated to all members for remarks

and suggestions before the Executive can approve it.

7 ANNUAL MEETINGS

7.1 Previous venues

2000 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. 2001 Lusaka, Zambia

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2002 Lilongwe, Malawi

2003 Stellenbosch, SA

2004 Zomba, Malawi

2005 Hefsiba, Mozambique

2006 Windhoek, Namibia

2007 Lusaka, Zambia

2009 Stellenbosch (150th anniversary)

2011 Lilongwe, Malawi

2012 Brackenhurst, Kenya.

2013 DCMA, Worcester, SA,

2015 Johannesburg, SA

2016 St Paul’s University, Kenya

2017 Scott Christian University, Kenya.

2018 Huguenot College, Wellington, SA.

2019 St Paul’s University, Kenya

7.2 2020 Annual Meeting

The ED reports the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology reaffirmed their invitation at the 2018

meeting to host the 2020 AGM there. The Executive is of opinion that the AGM country has to be

visa-friendly and airport-friendly (from a financial point of view). Thus, Addis is ideal.

Decision: The Board unanimously approve the EGST invitation.

Daystar University invites NetACT to their Alti River Campus for the next AGM. Noted.

In the aftermath of the meeting the idea of a 2020 four-day meeting with a two-day

workshop on Human Rights developed. Such a topic, introduced by experts, will lead to

good discussions and support the APT project and built on the Religious Freedom

foundation that was laid at this meeting.

8 GENERAL

8.1 Approval of 2019 AGM minutes

As with previous meetings, the NetACT EC requests the Board to grant it the authority to approve

the minutes of the AGM after circulating it to Board members for comments and suggestions. See

above at 6 the decision to make this procedure part of the constitution.

Decision: Approved.

8.2 In closure

The chair thanked all members for their presence and contributions. The ED expresses a

special word of thanks to the Programme Coordinators, Jurgens Hendriks and Nico Mostert,

for the logistical organization as well as our host, SPU and especially Dr Zablon Bundi and

his staff, for their efficient hospitality. Dr Rutoro closes the meeting with prayer at 13:40.

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ADDENDUM 1: ATTENDANCE 2019

1. Africa Bible College (ABC), Malawi Rev Bentry Mhango

bentrymhango@yahoo.com

2. Africa International University (AIU), Kenya Prof. Dr. James Nkansah-Obrempong

3. Bishop Hannington Institute of Theology and Development

studies, Mombasa, Kenya

Rev MNJAMA, Joseph Mwanyika

josephmnjama@gmail.com+254

725630699

4. Chancellor College, Malawi. mawerengaj@gmail.com JH Mawerenga

jmawerenga@cc.ac.mw

5. Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya Dr Fred Ngagwe Olwendo

folwendo@daystar.ac.ke

6. Domboshava Theological College, Zimbabwe Dr Roy Musasiwa

rmusasiwa@gmail.com

7. ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja (ETSI)., Igbaja, Kwara

State Nigeria.

Rev Stephen Oluwarotimi Y. Baba

baba.stephen@gmail.com

8. ECWA Theological Seminary Kagoro (ETS Kagoro),

Kagoro, Kaduna State, Nigeria..

Prof. Bitrus Sarma

angosam@gmail.com ;

9. Ethiopian Full Gospel Theological Seminary, Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia

Wasyihun Hailui Tesfa (librarian)

wasearel@gmail.com

10. Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST). Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia;

Dr. Theodros Teklu

theodrosa2013@gmail.com

11. Free State University (FSU), Bloemfontein South Africa. Dr Joseph Pali

PaliKJ@ufs.ac.za

Prof Dr Rantoa Letsosa

letsosar@ufs.ac.za

12. HEFSIBA Mozambique, Post Address: Box 312, Dedza,

Malawi (fly from Chingodzi-Tete Province-Mozambique).

Rev Timoteo Fabiao

timoteofabiao@yahoo.com.br

13. Hugenot College, Wellington, 7654. South Africa. Dr Andre du Toit

afdutoit@hugenote.com

14. Hugh Goldie Lay/Theological Training Institution

Arochukwu (HGLTTIA, Arochukwu, Abia, Nigeria.

Rev Dr Olo Ndukwe

olondukwe@yahoo.com

15. Instituto Bíblico de Kaluquembe – Missão Urgente (IBK-

MU), Lubango, Angola.

Pastor Dinis Marcolino Eurico

iesa.lubango@netangola.com

Past AB Kamwenho

16. Instituto Superior de Teologia Evangelica no Lubango

(ISTEL),; Lubango, ANGOLA.

Rev Alberto L.S. Alberto

otchakol@hotmail.com

17. Instituto Teológico da Igreja Evangélica Reformada de

Angola (ITIERA). Luanda, Angola.

Pastor Campos Afonso,

camposafonso-02@hotmail.com

18. International Leadership University (ILU), Nairobi, Kenya. Absent without apology

19. Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS), , Jos, Plateau

State, Nigeria.

Dr Therese Adamu

adamutheresa@gmail.com

20. Josophat Mwale Theological Institution (JMTI), Lilongwe,

MALAWI.

Rev Matalius W.A. Likhoozi

matalius@gmail.com

12

21. Justo Mwale University (JMU), Lusaka, ZAMBIA. Dr Lukas Soko

mzamoselukas@ymail.com

Dr Victor Chilenge

balenisambili@gmail.com

22. Moffat Bible College, Kijabe, Kenya Rev. Tom J. Obengo

obengotdrh@gmail.com

23. Morija Theological Seminary (MTS),. Fly from Maseru,

Lesotho to Johannesburg SA & back

Rev. Zacharias Ramonotsi

zramonotsi@yahoo.com

24. Murray Theological College (MTC), Masvingo,

ZIMBABWE.

Rev Dr Rangarirai Rutoro,

rangarutoro@gmail.com

Rev Simbarashe Munamati

simbarashemunamati@gmail.com

25. Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS),

Windhoek, NAMIBIA.

JD Oudshoorn

joramoudshoorn@gmail.com

26. Nile Theological College, Juba, South Sudan. Rev James Bol Obwonyo Padiet

obwonyobol@yahoo.com

27. North West University (NWU-Mafikeng campus), Fly from

Johannesburg, South Africa.

Prof Hannes Knoetze

hannes.Knoetze@nwu.ac.za

28. Orthodox Theological Seminary, Nairobi, Kenya, Father Evangelos Thiani

frevangelost@yahoo.com alternated Fr

Theodoros Yego

fryegotheo15@gmail.com

29. Pan Africa Christian University. Nairobi, Kenya. Dr Nathan Chiroma and other that

substituted for him

nchiroma@gmail.com

30. Pretoria University, Pretoria, 0028. South Africa. Dr Maniraj Sukdaven

sukdavenm@gmail.com

Prof Nelus Niemandt

nelus.niemandt@up.ac.za

Dr Zoro Dube, zoro.dube@up.ac.za

31. Redeemed Christian Bible College, Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway, Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Rev Dr Babatunde Adedibu,

babatunde.adedibu@rcbc.edu.ng

32. Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT),

Eldoret, Kenya.

Rev Silas S. Wanjala,

siboesilas@gmail.com

rcea.ritt@gmail.com

33. Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), Mkar, Benue State,

Nigeria.

Apology .. accident on his way to the

airport

34. Rusitu Bible College. Zimbabwe. Rev Rodney Joel Kastner

kastscan@zol.co.zw

35. Scott Christian University (CSU), , Machakos Kenya. Absent without apology

36. Seminario Emanuel do Dôndi (SED), Huambo, Angola Rev Adelaide Catanha

acatanha@yahoo.com

37. St John’s College of Theology and Development, Juba South

Sudan,

Mr Philip Abiel Nyok Awol

wundhol1979@gmail.com

38. St. Paul’s University (SPU), Limuru, Kenya. Rev Rowland van Es

vanesjr@spu.ac.ke

39. Stellenboch University (SU), Fly from Cape Town, SA Prof D Xolile Simon

dsimon@sun.ac.za

40. Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Jos,

Plateau State, Nigeria. fc

Prof. Samuel P. Ango

angosam@gmail.com

41. UMCA Theological College, Ilorin, KWARA State, Nigeria. Rev. Dr. Olusegun Noah Olawoyin

olawoyin.olusegun@umcatc.edu.ng

13

42. University of Livingstonia, Mzuzu, Malawi. Mr LLS Nkhonjera

nlapani@yahoo.co.uk

Rev Tyler Holm tyler@tylerhol.com

43. Zomba Theological College; Zomba, Malawi. Fly from

Blantyre.

Rev Anderson JM Mnthambala

andersonmnthambala@gmail.com

44. (new) Reformed Church University, Zimbabwe Mondli Sibanda

sibandam@rcu.ac.zw

45. (new) Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Edward Nnanna

eddytenor2k4@gmail.com

46. (new) Carlile College, Nairobi, Kenya Patience Wanzala

principal@carlilecollege.ac.ke

47. (new) Université Shalom de Bunia Dr George Atido,

george.atido@gmail.com & Daniel

Baraka Nyamutale,

danbaraka1@gmail.com

48. NetACT Executive Chair: Fly from Lilongwe. Malawi Dr Maggie Madimbo

madimbom@abcmalawi.net

49. NetACT Office: Executive Director: Dr Len Hansen

ldhansen@sun.ac.za

50. NetACT Office: Program Coordinator: Prof Dr H Jurgens Hendriks

hjh@sun.ac.za

51. NetACT Internet Portal: Program Coordinator: Mr TF Jackson

tfjnetact@sun.ac.za

52. NetACT Internet Portal: Stellenbosch library advisor Heila Mare

heilam@sun.ac.za

53. NetACT Office: Program Coordinator: Rev Nico Mostert

nicom@absamail.co.za

NetACT Associate Members:

1. ACTEA New ED David Tarus

actea.africa@gmail.com

2. Association for Christian Religious Practitioners. Dr Hannes van der Walt (Netact pay

SPU) dexia@mweb.co.za

3. Biblica Africa Rose.Birenge@biblica.com Rose Birenge

Rose.Birenge@biblica.com

4. Commission for Witness DRC family Rev Jan Grobbelaar

jangrobbies11@gmail.com

5. Dutch Reformed Church in SA Dr Gustav Claassen

gustavc@ngkerk.org.za

Rev Danie Mouton

danie@ngkok.co.za

Rev Hannes Theron

<hannes@nghelder.co.za

6. Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life Team of Barnabas Fund

Gavin.Mitchell@barnabasfund.org

7. Tearfund Dr Sas Conradie

sas.conradie@tearfund.org

8. Reformational Study Centrec Christo Frederik Heiberg

cfheib@gmail.com

9. World Communion of Reformed Churches Dr Uma Onwunta (Netact pay SPU)

ijeuma@yahoo.com

10. United Church of Canada (not a member yet) Japhet Ndhlovu (Netact pay SPU)

mbusajaphet@gmail.com

14

Invited by Barnabas fund attending workshop (not AGM) Country Name Organisation

1) Angola Rev. Antonio Neves Mussaqui Gen. Sec. of EA, Angola

2) Burkina

Faso Boureima Diallo Fulani Ministries

3) Cameroon Rev. Dr Jean Libom Li Likeng Gen Sec of EA

4) CAR Pastor Philippe Sing-Na Gen Sec of EA

5) Chad Hlama Clement Atchenemou CERFEM

6) Chad Rev. Kaligue Batein Chad Evangelical Fellowship

7) DRC Marie Antoinette Mukoka Mudibu Jesus t'aime ministry

8) Ethiopia Pastor Tsadiku Abdo Alema Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia

9) Ethiopia Alemayehu Goshu Kebede Living Gospel

10) Ethiopia Pastor Dereje Shiferaw Tekle Ezra Rural Ministries

11) Gambia Samba Alieu Bah House of Wisdom Evangelical Church

12) Ghana Paulina Kumah AEA

13) Guinea Saa David Kamano Gen Sec of EA

14) Kenya Rev Connie Kivuti EA of Kenya

15) Kenya Jairus Webuye EA of Kenya

16) Kenya Dr Aila Tasse Lifeway Mission

17) Kenya Diana Omondi Dove International

18) Kenya Safia Mohamed Works with Somali mbb's

19) Kenya Jared Omondi Konyando The Sheepfold Ministry

20) Liberia Rev. Clinton T Gbawoh Tentmakers, Liberia

21) Malawi Alpheus Eleazer Katiyi Banda Evangelical Association of Malawi

22) Niger Adamou Yazi Tentmaker, training, outreach

23) Nigeria Hillary Danjuma Yusuf Dreams Alive Project

24) Nigeria James Adebayo Famonure AGAPE Missions and Evangelical Network

25) Senegal Pastor Georges Manga Leader of the Senegal Evangelical Community

26) Sierra

Leone Rev Jonathan Titus-Williams EFSL

27) South

Sudan Bishop Arkenjelo Wani Lemi Jeberi Africa Inland Church, Gen Sec of EA

28) South

Sudan Paula Achan Omoya Loding AIC Women's Ministry

29) Tanzania Bishop Andrew Petro Gulle Council of Churches in Tanzania

30) Uganda Johnckson Murabyo Tembo South Rwenzori Diocese

Barnabas Fund was represented by:

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, his wife Rosemarie and the editor of his writings, Caroline Kerslake.

Dr Chris Sugden

Rev Gavin Mitchell

Rev Mark Green

Rev. Clint Kimble

15

ADDENDUM 2: EVALUATION 2019 AGM

46 evaluations received. Instructions on the evaluation sheet: Rate the organization, venue,

workshop and AGM meeting on a 1-5 scale. Make comments if you want to!

1 Organization (everything that was done / communicated before and during the

meeting)

29 out of 46 gave a no comment 5 out of 5. 8 awarded a 4; 2 a 3: Average: 4.7

Remarks: Written remarks were all positive.

Two had a negative experience with the taxis at the airport which they could not find and

had to pay their way to SPU.

Three mentioned the accommodating attitude of NetACT; one mentioned the obvious love

of the DRC-SA for the wider church in Africa; one said: “I love Patrick and I thank

God I attended.

2 Venue (accommodation, facilities, meals)

22 out of 46 a straight 5 out of 5; 13 x 4; 3 x 3: Average in figures: 4.5.

Jumuia Guest House not so good with no Wifi (1); Cold weather (2); small rooms (1); cold

water & not clean (1); beds too short (1); I would recommend this venue for others

(1); good value for money (1); too many rice during meals (1); Five had really

positive remarks on food and venue; food needs diversification;

3 Workshop on Religious Freedom & global politics (please give us your thoughts and

evaluation of the workshop in a few sentences)

30 fives; 3 fours and 3 threes thus the numerical average is 4.75 (most written replies

equivalent to fives though!)

The overwhelming positive replies used words like excellent-“the best” (and synonyms)

many timers as well as: important, fruitful-informative (4); kept me spellbound;

needs ultra-urgent action; how do we counter Islam without war? How can we

support Islamic reform? Eye-opener (10); thankful for Patrick’s courage;

Specific remarks: thank you for books (4); we need Qurans for our seminaries, underlined

importance of Islamic Studies (4) and sharing the knowledge at institutional level

as well as in theological disciplines; for us under Islamic attacks it helped a lot (2);

repeat after three years; we need to share this knowledge; presenter “the best” or

“worldclass”

Critical remarks: this was one approach to the Islam question; rather a monologue with little

diversity; The danger-side exposed but not the way to counter it in a Christian way;

very anti-Islam; How do you love your enemies? A biblical perspective can be

added, why not Rev 5-7? Give more hope; concern for non-English speakers

needed; presentation needed more time.

4 AGM Program and meeting

Average 4.5. Appreciation for sharing all info well ahead of time - one can come well

prepared & it safes time (6+); very informative for a new member (2); consider M and PhD

programs for librarians; thanks to chair and executive; Impressive organization (several);

Critical: quite a rush! Limited discussion time; prefer hard copies; wireless mike for floor

(2); slide projector too dim (2);

5 Any other suggestions:

Work on gender balance; Keep it up (15); book tables appreciated; Involve members more

in presentations and preparations (2); last hour of every day to little for Barnabas people;

develop regional workshops / meetings / organization; discussions needs more time;

16

ADDENDUM 3: IN MEMORY OF RON HARTGERINK

From the Network of African Congregational Theology, Africa.

12 June 2019

Dr Harold Englund, then pastor at Second Reformed in Zeeland and president at Western

Theological Seminary, introduced us.

Our first journey together was from Cape Town to Lusaka, 1864 miles (and back) in a Toyota Hi

Ace van. We were seven people from different countries in Africa going to the first official meeting

of the Network for African Congregational Theology (NetACT). We had to write a constitution, but

none of us felt fit to take the lead – and then Ron volunteered to guide us. He did it extremely well

and in the process a wonderful unity developed between the representatives present.

The next year, 2002, we met in Malawi. The HIV-AIDS pandemic was the central issue on our

agenda. I remember us visiting a prayer house in the rural area of Nkhoma where eight older

women and two men looked after 220 orphans – all present for the occasion. Ron and I was

standing next to one another and we wept.

In the following year, 2003, the Annual General Meeting was near Zomba, also in Malawi. Ron

arrived but his suitcase did not. The representative from Angola, Afonso Campos, also arrived

without a suitcase. Forty years of war in Angola just ended and he simply did not have a suitcase

and extra clothes. Ron took Campos and they went to buy what was needed for the week. On the

last day of our meeting a taxi arrived where we were sitting under trees at a lunch break. The taxi

driver jumped from his vehicle, grabbed a suitcase from the boot and ran to Ron! We all cheered

and laughed at this last-day reunion.

In 2006, Ron told us that the network should not be dependent on their funding alone and he guided

us over those early years to get financially on our feet. We began the network in 2001 with eight

Reformed schools and later pretty much all the Reformed Schools in Africa were members. The

number of leaders in church and society that were formed by the Network and by the Hartgerink

family’s support, are considerable. Today we have a growing membership of more than 55 schools

from many denominations. In the words of Mark 4:8: “a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams”

(Message translation).

We loved Ron and we miss him. He was, like Abraham, a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:3).

Jurgens Hendriks.